ABSTRACT
Poultry, a global agro-industry, in India alone annually generates 3.5 million tons, (while world production is 8.5 billion tons) of recalcitrant feather-waste, which consists of 90% protein-keratin, 1% lipid, and 8% water. The fibrous protein complex consists of 15 different amino acids, with phenylalanine as least and serine as maximum. These biomolecules from waste feathers are released by employing mechanical, physical treatment and enzymes from non-halophilic bacteria and fungi. The key benefits and drawbacks of using haloextremozymes are highlighted and compared with those of non-halophilic enzymes. Advantages of a single-step and two-step bio-hydrolysis enzyme technology through single and co-cultures/bacterial consortia and immobilized cells/enzymes are emphasized. The prospects of adopting green bio-refinery as a future approach for harnessing various products, that is, feather meal, feed supplements, nutritional amino acids, antioxidant green chemicals, metal nanomaterials, and biofuels, is modeled. Economic assessment and feasibility are included.
